MISSION STATEMENT
PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND RESTORE wild NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS THROUGH STEWARDSHIP OF THE FISH AND THEIR HABITATS
VIRGINIA native fishes
With over 176,000 acres of lakes and 27,000 miles of streams, Virginia is home to a wide variety of aquatic habitats. From the freestone streams of its western mountains to the estuarine rivers and tidal creeks of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic coast, Virginia has a rich diversity of native fishes. Fisheries scientists currently recognize 226 species of freshwater fishes across 25 families in Virginia. This represents an increase of 16 species cataloged in the pioneering book, Freshwater Fishes of Virginia, by Jenkins and Burkhead, written in 1994. The increase is partly due to the introduction of nonnative fish such as northern snakehead and Alabama bass, but also includes the discovery of previously unknown species such as the sandbar shiner, as well as taxonomic reclassifications. Brook trout, Virginia’s official State Freshwater Fish, is the only salmonid native to the state. Virginia is also the state where the two primary strains of brook trout, Northern and Southern Appalachian, diverge, with the New River drainage in the southwestern part of the state being the line of demarcation. The official State Saltwater Fish is the striped bass. Other native fishes include largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass; black and white crappie; bluegill; green, pumpkinseed, and redbreast sunfish; warmouth; walleye; white and yellow perch; chain and redfin pickerel; bowfin; longnose gar; river herring, American shad, and various species of sculpin, darter and other minnows. Fortunately, there is a lot of fish-rich protected land in Virginia, including 200,000-acre Shenandoah National Park and the 1,664,110-acre George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
status, threats, and conservation
As one of the earliest settled areas on the East Coast, Virginia’s fisheries have experienced several centuries of exploitation and degradation. Sturgeon and American shad were severally reduced as a result of virtually unrestricted commercial harvest and dam building. According to Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, 24 species of fish are either threatened or endangered. Of these, five are federally listed as Endangered: Atlantic Sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon, candy darter, duskytail darter, and Roanoke logperch. Species classified as Threatened at the federal level are blackside dace, slender chub, spotfin chub, and yellowfin madtom. Other species, such as the Roanoke bass and the New River strain of walleye, have limited geographic distribution and are vulnerable to exploitation and other threats. Wild native brook trout have been greatly reduced, and lost from many waters in Virginia. In many cases, the introduction of nonnative brown trout and/or nonnative rainbow trout has compromised wild native brook trout populations. In other cases, pollution and habitat degradation were the cause. Stocking also poses a threat to wild native brook trout and other species of fish in Virginia, including hybrid tiger trout, a cross between and native brook trout and nonnative brown trout. Nonnative pike, muskellunge, Alabama bass, blue catfish, and snakehead threaten native warmwater species. Mining, especially coal, is also an issue in Virginia, polluting many small headwater streams, leaving them virtually fishless. Timber harvest is a threat as well. And with roughly 8.65 million residents and growing, Virginia is experiencing heavy development, both residential and commercial.
VIRGINIA nfc board
Below is our Virginia State Board. This dedicated group of volunteers are our "boots on the ground" in Virginia, home to miles of river and stream, numerous lakes and ponds, and a number of wild native fish species.
virginia nfc ADvisory CounCil
Below is our Virginia Advisory Council. This group of volunteers represents a veritable all-star team of subject matter expertise and hands-on experience. They work with the Virginia board to identify areas in need of attention, while providing technical assistance.
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MICHAEL LAWLER SMITH currently pursues native brook trout…